OCTOBER 3, 2015 Mirror-SpeTHE ARMENIAN ctator Volume LXXXVI, NO. 12, Issue 4406 $ 2.00 NEWS INBRIEF The First English Language in the United States Since 1932 Schiff Urges Nobel Azeri Army Prize for LOS ANGELES (Politico) — A leading House Increases Democrat is urging members of the committee charged with awarding Nobel Peace prizes to grant the honor to Pope Francis. Attacks on California Rep. Adam Schiff began circulating Wednesday a letter among his House colleagues that calls for the pope to be given the highly-tout- ed humanitarian award for using his “pulpit to Karabagh, exhort people and nations around the world to con- duct their affairs with spirituality, morality and integrity.” The letter says, “Pope Francis has been a power- ful advocate for peace, urging an end to conflict and support for constitutive ties among nations. He Foreign Minister Meets has called on the world to use diplomacy and dis- With Azeri Counterpart in cussion to solve disputes, rather than military force, coercion or intimidation. This commitment to New York nonviolence, which the Pope has put into practice every day, is at the core of the principles behind the NEW YORK and YEREVAN (Combined Nobel Peace Prize.” Sources) — During the past week, Azeri “As the world struggles to cope with a flood of attacks have escalated. The Nagorno refugees not seen since the end of World War II, Karabagh Defense Army issued a state- the Pope has emerged as perhaps the leading advo- ment saying that a total of nine cate for relief,” he wrote. Azerbaijani soldiers were killed in two sep- “The Pontiff has called on the international com- arate attacks, by Armenian forces defend- munity to respond meaningfully to this unsur- Archbishop Barsamian greets Pope Francis following the Pontifical Mass at ing the line of contact. Madison Square Garden. passed humanitarian disaster. His compassion has Despite the losses, Azerbaijan continued also taken the concrete form of inviting a Syrian the shelling, the army spokesman said, refugee family to reside in his residence at the noting 110 ceasefire violations were regis- Vatican.” Eastern Diocese, Abp. Barsamian tered on September 28-29, with more than After gathering signatures he will send the letter 1600 shots fired from various caliber to the Nobel Committee. Welcome Pope to the US weapons, including 60-, 82-, and 120-mm

NEW YORK — The eyes of much of the world were focused on America’s north- Argentine Armenians east corridor last week, as Pope Francis made his first pontifical visit to the United Celebrate Homeland’s States. Among the millions of people anticipating his appearances in Washington, New York, and Philadelphia, members of the Armenian Church community made Independence special efforts to welcome the Pope with characteristic warmth and affection. BUENOS AIRES (Agencia Prensa Armenia) — On On Friday morning, September 25, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, the September 25, the Armenian community of of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, took part in the papal Argentina celebrated the 24th anniversary of prayer service at “Ground Zero” — the former site of the World Trade Center, now Armenia’s independence with a concert in Teatro a place of “pilgrimage” honoring those slain during the September 11, 2001, ter- Colon, the main opera house here. rorist attacks on America. There, the Primate had an occasion to personally greet Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian with The Armenian ambassador to Argentina Alexan the Pope on behalf of the Armenian Church of America. his Azeri counterpart in New York Harutiunian gave a welcoming speech and National That afternoon, he attended the Pontifical Mass at Madison Square Garden. Deputy Graciela Boyadjian spoke on behalf of the Archbishop Barsamian was one of only two non-Catholic religious dignitaries (the Armenian community. Later, the choir Hai Folk other was Archbishop Demitrios of the Greek Orthodox Church) who were spe- mortars, AGS-17 grenade launchers, as and the group Camerata Bariloche played tradi- cially invited by the city’s Roman Catholic hierarchy to be a part of the liturgical well as Turkish-made TR-107 rocket tional Argentine tangos and Armenian music. service. launchers. “As was the case with the first Armenian Over the course of his ministry, Barsamian has had a fruitful friendship with Karabagh armed forces took retaliatory Republic in 1918, Argentina was one of the first the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church, beginning with his student days at measures and continue to be in control of nations to recognize our country and extend their the Vatican’s Pontifical Oriental Institute. Since becoming Primate of the the situation. hand of friendship,” said Harutiunian in his speech. see POPE, page 6 The artillery shelling of villages in Armenia’s Tavush province also resulted After recalling the recognition of the Armenian see ATTACKS, page 16 Genocide by former Argentine President Raul Alfonsin, the Armenian ambassador stressed the importance of the recognition law enacted by another former president, Nestor Kirchner, in 2007. He declared, “Today our two countries are not only Mansurian Reveals friends, but cooperate in political, economic, cul- Roots of His Music tural and other fields.” BOSTON — Tigran By Aram Arkun Mansurian is one of the leading con- INSIDE Mirror-Spectator Staff temporary com- posers of Armenian classical music. One of his important works, Requiem, will premiere in Boston on Watertown October 18 as part of “Resilient Voices: 1915- 2015,” a Friends of Armenian Culture Society (FACS) concert, in collaboration with the Boston Inspired Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP), in commemo- ration of the centennial of the Armenian Genocide. Page 10 The Harvard Radcliffe Collegium Musicum and the Boston University Marsh Chapel Choir will join with BMOP, led by the latter’s music direc- tor, Gil Rose. INDEX Mansurian agreed to speak about his work and Arts and Living ...... 10 life via Skype on this occasion. Armenia ...... 2 Mansurian spent around a decade trying to Community News...... 4 compose the Requiem. Requiems were originally Editorial ...... 14 International ...... 3 see MANSURIAN, page 5 4 S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 3 , 2 0 1 5 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Community News

Walter Karabian to Celebration Receive the ANCA- WR Legacy Award Of Life

LOS ANGELES — The Armenian National By Kevork Keushkerian Committee of America, Western Region (ANCA- WR) has announced that former Majority Leader of the California State Assembly and ALTADENA, Calif. — Tekeyan Cultural veteran attorney, Walter J. Karabian will be hon- Association’s Los Angeles Chapter honored the ored with the Legacy Award at its Annual Gala memories of several of the prominent members Banquet on October 25, at the Hyatt Regency of Tekeyan Cultural Association who had Century Plaza Hotel. passed away. Those departed members had Born in Fresno, Karabian is the oldest son of served the Association in various capacities to John Karabian and Zevart Shishmanian. make a difference in the organization’s mission Karabian’s paternal family arrived in Fresno in and vision in the Diaspora. 1896 from Bitlis, and his maternal family were This memorial took place on Sunday, from Dikranagert. September 20, at the Tekeyan Cultural Karabian graduated from Roosevelt High Association’s Beshgeturian Center. The imme- School in Fresno and later continued his edu- diate family members of those departed were cation at the University of Southern California invited to this gathering, which started with a (USC), where he earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in light buffet dinner. history, a master’s in public administration and Vatche Semerdjian, chairman of TCA Los a Juris Doctorate from the USC Law School. AGBU New York Summer Internship Program (NYSIP) interns during a trip to the Angeles Chapter, welcomed the guests and then After completing his education, Karabian Metropolitan Museum of Art. invited Master of Ceremonies Dikran Ekizian to served as Deputy District Attorney for Los introduce the speakers, who were there to pre- Angeles County for two years. Soon after, sent the lives and achievements of the deceased Karabian became active in the Democratic honorees. Party and moved directly into politics. In 1966, AGBU Offers Young Adults Vartkes Kourouyan enumerated world events he was elected to the California State Assembly. that coincided with Kevork Kupelian’s birth in He was one of the youngest men to ever be 1947. In that year, a peace accord was finally elected to the Assembly and only the third An Enriching Array of signed to end World War II, meanwhile, the American-Armenian to be elected to public renowned leader, Gandhi, embarked on his office in the history of the United States. equally significant “March toward peace.” While a member of the Legislature, Karabian Summer Programs Kevork Kupelian was born in Alexandria, Egypt published various legal articles and gained a in 1947. After graduating from the elementary NEW YORK — For students about to enter the professional world, AGBU offers reputation as a sig- school there, he went to to study at an array of programs that not only allow them to prepare for their futures, but also nificant legal the Patriarchate Seminary for a while. learn about their Armenian heritage. This year, Armenian youth participated in author as well as a Kupelian immigrated to the United States in internship, musical and community service programs that helped them solidify legislator. He made 1971, and settled in Los Angeles. He was very their career aspirations and strengthen their ties to Armenians around the globe. substantial contri- active in the community, serving St. John This year marked the first year of the London Summer Internship Program butions to the Armenian Church as Deacon and also on the (LSIP), placing 13 students from Argentina, Belgium, Canada, France, Lebanon, development of Parish Council as treasurer. He was a member the United Kingdom and the United States in internships at Amber Capital, California law con- of the Armenian Democratic Liberal party and Newscape Capital, White Cube Art Gallery, Wigmore Medical and other presti- cerning crime, Tekeyan Cultural Association for 20 years until gious firms and companies. prison reform, edu- his untimely passing in 1996. “LSIP was the perfect catalyst to show the great potential London has as a cation, civil rights, Parsegh Kartalian depicted the life of Anahid European networking hub for Armenians,” said LSIP organizer Camilio Azzouz. free speech and the Orchanian-Basmadjian as the first female In addition to their daily work schedules, the interns took trips to iconic British preservation of involved in many endeavors. She was the first landmarks, visited the Google headquarters in London and attended a gala dinner endangered species Armenian woman to attend the prestigious Walter Karabian in honor of President of Nagorno-Karabagh Bako Sahakyan and Baroness Cox of in California. Sacred Heart School in Alexandria and then Queensbury. They also met with Vartkess Knadjian, CEO of the diamond compa- Notably, Karabian the first female to graduate from the renowned ny Backes & Strauss, as well as other professionals who shared their expertise. used his influence to bring awareness to the Alexandria School of Pharmacy. In Los Angeles For Sarkis Petrosian, a recent graduate of the Université catholique de Louvain Armenian Genocide in California. In 1967, at a and later in Montreal, Orchanian-Basmadjian in Belgium, LSIP ended with a full-time job offer at his internship site, time when most people were not aware of the became known as a compassionate community StoneHedge Partners. “The London Summer Internship Program was a tremen- Genocide, Karabian authored the first resolu- activist in the ranks of the Armenian dous opportunity for me to make my first professional steps in one of the biggest tion commemorating the Armenian Genocide in Democratic Liberal party and Tekeyan Cultural financial hubs in the world. My internship was at a British brokerage firm and I the State Assembly. Association. She was loved and respected by was in charge of helping the equities trading desk with its research. This experi- In 1972, Karabian introduced California’s rat- everyone. She passed away in 1997, at the ence helped me to consolidate my recently acquired theoretical knowledge with ification of the Equal Rights Amendment which young age of 53, after a long and courageous practical know-how. From a personal standpoint, I engaged in this experience try- was designed to guarantee equal rights to fight with cancer. ing to see if there was a place for someone like me in a highly competitive market women. Karabian also authored the first Nor Or former editor Minas Kojayan present- like London. Eventually I got my answer in the form of a proposal from my man- Freedom Act protecting sources of news infor- ed former editor Hagop Boghosian’s life and ager to stay within the company. I feel extremely delighted and very grateful to all mation, the Endangered Species Act, which pre- personal traits, which made him who he was. the people who organized the program.” ceded the National Endangered Species Act Kojayan’s prepared text was read by his wife New York Summer Internship Program (NYSIP) and legislation requiring child IQ testing be Nazig, as Minas had gone to Jerusalem to con- Twenty four interns participated in the New York Summer Internship Program completed in the child’s native language. tinue his calling as an educator and editor for (NYSIP). As the first of the organization’s cadre of internship programs, NYSIP In 1972, he was selected to serve in the pow- the Patriarchate magazine at the beginning of empowers young Armenians to achieve success by providing meaningful, purpose- erful position of Majority Leader. At the time, the current school year. driven professional opportunities and social activities. he was only 33 years old and became the Hagop Boghosian and Minas Kojayan both This year, interns arrived from Armenia, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, the United youngest Majority Leader in California’s histo- attended Beirut’s AGBU Hovagimian- Kingdom and across the United States to spend the summer contributing to their ry. Later, he would become a member of the Manoogian High School. After graduating from professional development and enhancing their involvement in the Armenian com- important Rules Committee. High School, Minas went to Armenia to further munity. During the eight-week program, participants worked in various fields at After leaving the California Legislature in his education in Armenian studies, whereas prestigious companies and organizations, including Columbia Medical Center, the 1975, he established and led his Los Angeles Hagop attended the American University of Permanent Mission of Armenia to the United Nations, AXA Advisors, Mirrorball, law practice for 45 years. Karabian was selected Beirut. His writing career started in Beirut, SnackBare.com and TheMedNet.org. as the co-chairman of a trade delegation that when he began to contribute to ’s Artoun Festekjian, a student at Tufts University studying cognitive brain science visited Cuba during Jimmy Carter’s presidency, Sports Section. and drama, spent the summer as a production intern at Locomotive Film, gaining and served as the legal counsel for a legislative In the United States, he became the editor of insight into the inner-workings of a production studio: “On certain days, I got to delegation to the Philippines in 1979. Karabian Nor Or from 1990-96. During his tenure as edi- read scripts and short stories, but by far, my favorite part of the internship has was also selected to speak on behalf of a num- tor of Nor Or, ADL’s semi-weekly newspaper been going on set for a film that the company is currently working on. I got to ber of Armenian organizations relating to rose to unprecedented heights, as it became the meet the directors and actors and see the whole crew working, which was unbe- Armenian grievances and objectives before the most sought-after paper for his bold political lievably exciting.” Los Angeles World Affairs Council. commentaries. After Armenia’s independence Yerevan Summer Internship Program (YSIP) Karabian has had a lasting impact on the in 1991, Boghosian became an independent TV The Yerevan Summer Internship Program (YSIP) welcomed 16 diasporan political landscape of America, particularly in commentator, known and respected for his Armenians. The program provides students with an edge in a new global market California. Politically sharp and insightful on political views and analysis of current events in see INTERNS, page 9 public policy, he has the unique ability of iden- Armenia. He passed away in 2001. tifying promising individuals and supporting Juliet Bidinian-Chahinian’s life was presented see KARABIAN, page 7 see CELEBRATION, page 5 10 S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 3 , 2 0 1 5 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Arts & Living Sacred Chants Armenian Art Gallery In Providence From Aleppo Threatened With Closure, Demolition By Florence Avakian PROVIDENCE, R.I. — After two years at its current location, Studio Z is being forced by its NEW YORK — Ancient Armenian chants from current landlord to vacate its gallery space at the Forty Martyrs Armenian Church (Karasoon the Butcher Block Mill. Gallery/Studio Z Mangants) in Aleppo enveloped the Kavookjian owner and director Berge Zobian painstaking- Auditorium of the Armenian Diocese in New ly renovated the space over a 17-month period York on Friday evening, September 18. The before opening the gallery to the public for its event was sponsored by the Krikor and Clara first exhibit in October 2013. Zohrab Information Center. According to the Providence Creative In welcoming the large audience, the executive Industrial Space (PCIS) website, the Butcher director of the Zohrab Center, the Very Rev. Block Mill was to be part of a “historic reha- Daniel Findikyan who spent a summer six years bilitation development of the old Eastern ago in this ancient city with his students, called Butcher Block Mill into affordable commercial the unique experience “life changing.” He was incubator space for creative small businesses.” there with his students who had come to learn With this understanding, Studio Z became one the Armenian language, and he revealed that of the early tenants on March 2012. Armenians have chanted in the Forty Martyrs Now, three-and-a-half years later, the church since it was constructed in 1429. owner of the mill has forced all tenants to John Derian in Watertown ( photo) During the Armenian Genocide, hundreds of New York Times move out in order to sell the property to a thousands of Armenians were deported to Syria, developer whose plans include turning the with tens of thousands settling in Aleppo which renovated building into parking spaces. All became the country’s economic center. The cur- other businesses in the complex have rent four year Syrian war has greatly reduced obliged and left fearing legal wrangling. Aleppo’s Armenian population to half, leaving John Derian Goes Studio Z has instead decided to protest the the future of this vibrant historic city in doubt. owner’s terms and seeks to recoup its reno- The Friday lecture was presented by Jason vation investment and raise funds to pay off Hamacher, who related that he has been exposed Home to Watertown its remaining service providers, cost to dis- to tragedies over the years, and wanted to do solve pre-existing contracts, loan, and something that expressed his faith. A musician mounting legal fees. WATERTOWN (New York Times) — John Derian is standing in front of a 19th- who mostly plays drums in two bands, he has Before moving into the Butcher Block build- century tomb in the summer rain. We are just outside Boston, in the storied Mount always been fascinated by music of different ing, Studio Z created architectural plans result- Auburn Cemetery, not far from groups, and has visited Syria several times dur- ing in extensive renovations to the space. This where he grew up. “Some of my ing a six-year span, documenting the ancient entailed converting an empty garage into a By Sadie Stein mother’s relatives are in here,” prayers of the Armenian, Sufi, Syriac and contemporary art gallery, at a cost of more he says. Tall and elegant, Derian Assyrian musical traditions of Aleppo. About a than $120,000 to design and build out an seems of a piece with his august year ago, he said he founded Lost Origin entire new space. The space consists of exhibi- surroundings: remote and a bit intimidating. But when he talks, he is warm and Productions, a multi-media company which tion rooms, office, track lighting and con- funny. At one point, a 71 bus, bound for Cambridge, passes by. “That bus changed explores ancient civilizations, “with hopes that structing a second floor loft for art storage. All my life,” he says wryly. these ancient Christian chants will unite our tur- see EVICTION, page 11 Since starting out as a designer and purveyor of objects and curiosities in the bulent world.” early ’90s, Derian’s name has been a byword for a slightly morbid, cosmopolitan During the program which featured an inter- luxury: a Pierre Bonnard painting viewed through the eyes of Edward Gorey. His view of him by Anastasia Tsioulcas, an associate three Aladdin’s Cave stores, a row in Manhattan’s East Village, are packed with producer for NPR Music, and the former North Smbatyan to hand-printed textiles, marble fruit sculptures and antique glass. The decoupage America editor for Gramophone Magazine, he plates that Derian makes and sells take their inspiration from English botanical showed a film of the vibrant city of Aleppo before Conduct Korean prints or yellowed love letters. A velvet sofa might have the classical lines of a the war, and the current massive destruction Hepplewhite relic, but with proportions long enough to accommodate his tall that has taken place during the last few years. Chamber Orchestra frame. Derian has a healthy respect for both history and comfort. Accompanying the film was his audio CD record- In reality, however, Derian’s hometown is a far cry from the sepia-tinged world ing, Forty Martyrs, the sacred Armenian chants In Boston Concert he has created. His working-class upbringing in Watertown was surprisingly he recorded on location in 2006 and 2010, sung Technicolor — Boy Scouts, a paper route, hide-and-seek — but Derian is ambivalent BOSTON — Swiss Gart will present Korean by the Very Rev. Yeznig Zegchanian. about going home; his family was bewildered by his artistic interests and, like many Chamber Orchestra on US tour celebrating While in Aleppo, he made a three-hour sensitive kids, he came to realize how isolated his childhood was. He moved imme- its 50th Anniversary in 2015 after great suc- “intriguing excursion” of the Forty Martyrs diately after high school — first to Boston, then to neighboring Cambridge, then to cess on Armenian Church, and asked Fr. Yeznig what New York, where he has lived and worked ever since. And yet it’s clear that Derian’s European tour Armenian chants sound like. He called the early life influenced his idiosyncratic brand of creativity. As a young man, Derian in February this priest’s beautiful baritone a cappella chanting of immersed himself in painting and craft, activities that would later find expression year. the Lord’s Prayer (Hayr Mer) and Hor Jam “gut- in his shops, which feel like private hiding places filled with secret, hoarded objects. The concert wrenching”. This was his “first exposure to any- Derian’s mother’s family is Scottish; his paternal grandparents were Armenian. will be held on thing Armenian,” he noted. “Not being His father’s mother lived with the family until he was 10, “but her past,” he says, October 31 at 8 Armenian by blood, I was deeply moved and “was always kind of a mystery.” Derian’s childhood was full of such secrets and p.m. at the in inspired by the Armenian culture,” he related. intriguing characters: There was the funeral home on the corner run by redhead- New England While there, he visited the UNESCO World ed sisters; the black-clad neighbor in perpetual mourning for her son; the boarders Conservatory’s Heritage sites with the numerous Armenian who lived upstairs. “There was a Russian guy named Arthur who stayed in our attic Jordan Hall. stone crosses (khachkars), and realized that the for 40 years,” Derian recalls, as we make our meandering way to the home where New world “world has recognized the profoundness of the Sergey Smbatyan he was raised. “When my grandmother was alive, they would play cards and do star mezzo Armenian culture.” And during visits to his two shots. He’d boil feta cheese until all the salt was gone, and walk around in his soprano Carly favorite restaurants in Aleppo which “of course” underwear saying, ‘I am DEE-sgusted! They do what they want!’ because there Paoli, who recently performed at Terme di were Armenian, he took note of the “gorgeous” were six little kids, causing trouble. I think he might have been gay.” Caracalla in Rome with Jose Carreras and wall illuminations, and understood “how Derian has a keen eye for detail, especially macabre quirks; he is also generous Andrea Bocelli, participates in this event entrenched Armenian culture was in Syria.” and kind. Near the Cambridge border, we stop at Star Market, a food store where thanks to EMMA for Peace. He closed his presentation by reading a 1946 his father was a manager for 40 years. Derian was the only one of his siblings not Ino Mirkovic, UNESCO Artist for Peace poem “Farewell to Aleppo”, written by an to work there, yet he has happy memories of playing in the empty aisles on and violinist, will perform together with Armenian Genocide survivor who had lost all his Sundays, and credits his time there for having made him an excellent packer of car Paoli. family members, and had walked 1200 miles trunks. South Korean violinist Soyoung Yoon one without shoes to Aleppo. With visible emotion, As the rain breaks, we reach Dexter Avenue, a narrow Watertown street. “My house of the brightest violinists of her generation he again used the expression, “gut-wrenching”. looked very much like the one on the right — they were twins,” he says, pointing to will all be a focal point of the concert. In his words of appreciation, Fr. Daniel called the gingerbread-embellished neighbor of a more modern-looking dwelling. “And The conductor of the concert will be the film and CD recording “an effort to combat then,” he says, gesturing to his childhood home, “my dad did basically everything he Sergey Smbatyan who was honored with the the apathy and ignorance found today about could to destroy it.” He describes his father’s 1970s refurbishment of the building — French Medal of Arts and Letters as Knight. Syria, a country of great vitality, and multicul- lowering the ceilings, ripping out the molding, adding paneling everywhere — with Tickets are available at the Box Office at turalism”. The Save the Children organization the tone of someone long resigned. “Even as a 10-year-old, I was sort of upset. It 290 Huntington Ave., as well as online at will be the recipient of a portion of the sale of the seemed like he was taking really cool things and making them ugly.” www.necmusic.edu . “Forty Martyrs” CD which can be purchased see DERIAN, page 11 The program includes works by Zwilich, from the Zohrab Center of the Armenian Weill, Musumarra, Obradors, Gershwin, Diocese. Piazzolla, Mendelssohn and Elgar. 14 S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 3 , 2 0 1 5 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

COMMENTARY Mirror Papal Visit Was a Hit for All, but Armenians Spectator Missed Chance to Display Gratitude the simplicity of his message. But how much that message By Edmond Y. Azadian could be translated into action needs to be viewed in due course. “Governments and their leaders are not easily swayed by EstablishedEstablished 1932 1932 Morality and politics are usually mutually exclusive; moral appeals, even from the Pope, but they do respond to although they both deal with social issues, the latter has a their public opinion,” said Louise Frechette, a former An ADLAn Publication ADL Publication stronger grip on those issues while morality soars in the deputy secretary general of the UN. She added that the abstract and impacts the consciences of people in a more Pope’s emphasis on issues such as “climate change and subjective way. refugees could put pressure on governments to act.” Pope Francis’ visit to the US brought together both The Pope’s visit to the US will have a lasting influence on EDITOR approaches to social issues and came to demonstrate the people’s conscience and politicians’ calculations. The Alin K. Gregorian power of the spoken word and the impact of morality on “Francis effect” was indeed powerful. The only issue which politics and political issues. was left unresolved in people’s minds was the role of ASSISTANT EDITOR Aram Arkun As a spiritual leader, it was not his place to politicize his women in the church. Although he has advocated a “deep- mission, but since the social issues he touched upon also er theology about the place of women in the church and ART DIRECTOR have a political component, he had to tailor his message greater role for women in its decision making,” his final Marc Mgrditchian accordingly. At the conclusion of his remarks at the joint word on the issue has been “the church has spoken and the session of the US Congress, he stated: “A good political door is closed” to women. leader is one who, with the interest of all minds, seizes the He is blamed for having a “blind spot” regarding women. moment in a spirit of openness and pragmatism.” Mostly the news media treated the Pope and his visit pos- Before landing on the North American continent as the itively, except a few powerful figures in the media, one of SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: fourth pope visiting the US, Pope Francis’ first stop was on whom is New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd, who Edmond Azadian the island nation of Cuba, where he received a welcome takes the Pope to task for his conservative views regarding CONTRIBUTORS: deserving of a head of women in the church. In Florence Avakian, Dr. Haroutiun state, by the Cuban peo- her Sunday op-ed piece Arzoumanian, Taleen Babayan, Diana ple and the government. “Throughout his visit, the news on September 27, she Der Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, Both segments were writes, “His magnetic, Kevork Keushkerian, Harut Sassounian, grateful for the role the media provided ample coverage magnanimous personality Hagop Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian Pontiff had played in is making the church, so restoring relations attracting the attention and stained by vile sex abuse CORRESPONDENTS: between the US and the reverence of not only scandal, more attractive Armenia - Hagop Avedikian Cuba. to people, even though Boston - Nancy Kalajian Philadelphia - Lisa Manookian President Obama was Catholics, but also non- the Vatican stubbornly Berlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach equally grateful, and he clings to its archaic prac- later thanked the Pope Catholics, as his message tran- tice of treating women as Contributing Photographers: for his help in mending a lower caste.” Jacob Demirdjian and Jirair Hovsepian scended the racial, religious and frayed ties, adding, “You Some other analysts shake our conscience philosophical divide.” suggest that although the from slumber, you call us Pope subscribes to a con- The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published to rejoice at the good servative philosophy, weekly, except two weeks in July and the first news and give us confidence that we can come together, in through the issues he has raised, he has given the “reli- week of the year, by: humility and service, and pursue a world that is more lov- gious left a new lease on life.” Association, Inc. ing, more just and more free.” Indeed, for the past decade, much of the public discourse 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 In Cuba, the Pope brought back God into an atheist soci- about the Catholic Church in the media has been negative; Telephone: 617-924-4420 ety and his message came to restore Christian faith among the endless stream of victims of clergy sexual abuse, so long FAX: 617-924-2887 people, all along treading carefully on political issues. He stifled, finally were able to find a voice. In the process, the avoided invoking political prisoners and provoking the church, until recently, was not able to reassert its moral www.mirrorspectator.com regime. high ground. Now, with Francis at the helm, the church E-Mail: [email protected] The Pope’s visit to the US was more tumultuous and seems to be willing to confront past misconduct and again For advertising: [email protected] eventful. Throughout his visit, the news media provided focus on bringing back the faithful to its fold. ample coverage attracting the attention and the reverence As Armenians, we have our own agenda regarding the of not only Catholics, but also non-Catholics, as his message Pope and his mission. What Pope Francis did for the transcended the racial, religious and philosophical divide. Armenians, no mere statesman could have done. Thanks to He was the first Pope to address a joint session of the his Divine Liturgy in St. Peter’s Cathedral in the Vatican on SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Congress, receiving 30 standing ovations, against 29 for April 12 of this year, he created global resonance on the Benyamin Netanyahu, who had delivered a more divisive Genocide issue. We were all appreciative at the time but dur- political message. ing his visit to the US, we failed to express our appreciation U.S.A. $80 a year Although the Pope brought a message of peace, he did in an appropriately grand manner. We had long been aware not shy away from the day’s burning issues. Certainly con- of his visit and his schedule in the US. Had we mobilized our Canada $125 a year gressional leaders such as John Boehner (who subsequent- community for a visible welcome, perhaps the Genocide ly announced his resignation as Speaker of the House) and issue could have found its echo in the message he delivered Other Countries $190 a year Mitch McConnell did not expect the tenor of the Pope’s at the US Congress or the White House, or even the UN message when they invited him to speak. The Pope called forum. We cannot tell with certainty what would have been for the protection of the rights of immigrants and refugees the outcome if we were able to move the masses on this © 2014 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator and the abolition of the death penalty as well as the sanc- occasion. Sure, there was a sign in Philadelphia thanking Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA tity of life “in all its stages,” an oblique reference to abor- the Pope for his courageous stand. There was also a message and additional mailing offices. tion. Then he took on the “industry of death,” asking, “why from the Eastern Diocese in Catholic New York. Perhaps are deadly weapons being sold to those who plan to inflict other messages did not hit their goals, but certainly we ISSN 0004-234X untold suffering to individuals and societies?” He then failed to demonstrate our collective gratitude. That is indica- responded to his own question: “Sadly, the answer, as we all tive of our lethargy as a political force in this country. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The know, is simply money. Money that is drenched in blood, Perhaps the only saving grace was President Serge Armenian Mirror-Spectator, 755 Mount Auburn often innocent blood.” And he called for action to “confront Sargisian’s meeting with Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, the St., Watertown, MA 02472 the problem and stop the arms trade.” Vatican’s Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Other than the editorial, views and opinions His audience in the Congress associated the reference Churches, who coincidentally visited Yerevan while the expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily with the $60-billion arms deal the US made recently with Pope was touring the US. During that meeting, which was reflect the policies of the publisher. Saudi Arabia, whose weapons are wreaking havoc in Syria also attended by the Patriarch of the Armenian Catholic and Yemen, and also the new military aid of $45 billion Church Grigor Petros I Gabroyan, President Sargisian promised to Israel. pointed out the Vatican’s role not only uniting the All the issues that the Pope touched upon are vigorously Christian world but also defending human rights, tolerance, being debated during the presidential campaign. understanding and peace. He concluded his remarks by Copying for other than personal use or internal reference is prohibited without The Pope carried similar messages both to the White stating that “the fact of recognition of the Armenian express permission of the copyright House and to the United Nations General Assembly. He Genocide by the Vatican is the vivid proof of that.” owner. Address requests for reprints or reminded his audience of the Golden Role: “Do unto others For people across the US, the Pope’s visit meant the back issues to: as you would have them do unto you.” (Matthew 7:12) revival of faith and celebration of his message of peace, but The Pope’s visit deeply impacted the conscience of his for the Armenian community, it remains a sorely-missed Baikar Association, Inc. audience. People in the US were moved by his humility and political opportunity. 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472- 1509